Supportive belly pad for a rounded trailer

ABSTRACT

A structurally supportive belly pad is connected to a rounded trailer and configured to support the same near the rear end of the trailer. The belly pad may be arcuately curved complementary to the curvature of the rounded trailer. However, if the belly pad were laid flat, it includes a pair of parallel legs aligned in a generally longitudinal direction with a plurality of transverse ribs extending therebetween. The shape of the belly pad is configured to provide structural support for the trailer which is beneficial especially when the trailer is raised and lowered, typically through hydraulic mechanisms.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/716,994 filed Sep. 27, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of priorco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/073,142, filed Mar. 17,2016, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/954,512, filed Jul. 30, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,315,136, the entiredisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to trailers. More particularly,the present disclosure relates to rounded trailers. Specifically, thepresent disclosure relates to rounded or half-round trailers having asupportive “belly pad” which is formed as a structural support beneaththe outer surface of the trailer.

Background Information

Trailers are known to carry bulk materials when towed by a towingvehicle. Typically, the trailers include a lifting system (oftenhydraulically operated) to tilt/raise the trailer in order the dump thebulk materials carried thereby.

A trailer body on a conventional half round or full round tank traileris typically fabricated from metallic sections of arcuate panels weldedtogether. Sometimes there may be a frame to support the panels of thehalf round trailer. Other times, the half round trailer may beconsidered a frameless trailer.

SUMMARY

Issues continue to exist with providing sufficient structural support tohalf round or full round tank trailers inasmuch as they are expected tohaul heavy loads, but sometimes may lack structural integrity in regionswhere the panels have been welded together and are not supported by aframe or other bracket. Thus, a need continues to exist forstrengthening and supporting a rounded trailer. The present disclosureaddresses these and other issues.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide astructurally supportive member for attachment with a trailer, whereinwhen laid flat prior to installation on the trailer the supportivemember comprises: a central longitudinal axis defining a longitudinaldirection extending from a forward end to a rear end; a first leg havinga first end and a second end; a second leg having a first end and asecond end; wherein the first and second legs are parallel and thecentral longitudinal axis extends centrally between the first and secondlegs; a transverse first rib extending between first leg and the secondleg; and a longitudinal extension connected to the first rib andextending along the longitudinal axis.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide atrailer comprising: a trailer body having an concave inner surfaceopposite a convex outer surface aligned along a longitudinal axisextending from a forward end to a rear end of the trailer body; and asupportive belly pad connected to the outer surface proximate the rearend of the trailer body, wherein the supportive belly pad includes apair of longitudinally extending parallel legs and a plurality oftransverse ribs orthogonally intersecting the longitudinal axis, whereinthe belly pad is arcuately curved complementary to the convex outersurface.

In yet another aspect, an embodiment the present disclosure may providea half round trailer comprising: a generally semi-cylindrical trailerbody oriented along a longitudinal axis having upwardly facing topopening, and an upwardly facing concave inner surface opposite adownwardly facing convex outer surface; and a supportive belly padconnected to the outer surface proximate the longitudinal center of thetrailer body, wherein the supportive belly pad includes a pair ofparallel legs and a plurality of transverse ribs orthogonallyintersecting the longitudinal axis. This or another embodiment mayfurther include a transverse first rib on the supportive belly padextending between the pair of parallel legs; a transverse second rib onthe supportive belly pad extending between the pair of parallel legs; atransverse third rib on the supportive belly pad extending between thepair of parallel legs; and a transverse fourth rib on the supportivebelly pad extending between the pair of parallel legs. This or anotherembodiment may further include a longitudinal extension extending in acantilevered manner from the first rib along the longitudinal axis. Thisor another embodiment may further include a longitudinally aligned widthof the first rib that is greater than a longitudinally aligned width ofthe second rib. This or another embodiment may further include alongitudinally aligned width of the first rib that is greater than alongitudinally aligned width of the third rib. This or anotherembodiment may further include a longitudinally aligned width of thefirst rib that is greater than a longitudinally aligned width of thefourth rib. This or another embodiment may further include atransversely extending concave edge on the fourth rib. This or anotherembodiment may further include wherein the third rib is offset closer tothe second rib than the fourth rib. This or another embodiment mayfurther include a longitudinal first interval distance between the firstrib and the second rib; a longitudinal second interval distance betweenthe second rib and the third rib; a longitudinal third interval distancebetween the third rib and the fourth rib; wherein the second intervaldistance is less than the first interval distance and less than thethird interval distance. This or another embodiment may further includewherein the second interval distance is less than the third intervaldistance. This or another embodiment may further include a transverselyaligned length of each one of the plurality of ribs, wherein thetransversely aligned length of each one of the plurality of ribs isgreater than a transversely aligned width of each one of the pair ofparallel legs. This or another embodiment may further include atransverse first rib on the supportive belly pad offset from a first endthereof; a transverse second rib on the supportive belly pad offset froma second end thereof.

In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure mayprovide a structurally supportive member, which may also be referred toas a belly pad, for attachment with a trailer, that when laid flatcomprises: a central longitudinal axis; a longitudinal first leg havinga first end and a second end; a longitudinal second leg having a firstend and a second end; wherein the first and second legs are parallel andthe central longitudinal axis extends centrally between the first andsecond legs; a transverse first plane perpendicularly intersecting thelongitudinal axis, wherein the respective first ends of the first andsecond legs lie along the first plane; a transverse second planeperpendicularly intersecting the longitudinal axis, wherein therespective second ends of the first and second legs lie along the secondplane; a transverse first rib extending between first leg and the secondleg, wherein the first rib is offset from the first plane; alongitudinal extension extending in a cantilevered manner towards thesecond plane along the longitudinal axis; a transverse second ribextending between first leg and the second leg; a third transverse ribextending between first leg and the second leg; a fourth transverse ribextending between first leg and the second leg, wherein the fourth ribis offset from the second plane; and wherein the second and third ribsare intermediate the first and fourth ribs.

In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure mayprovide a trailer comprising: a trailer body having an inner surfaceopposite a convex outer surface aligned along a longitudinal axisextending from a forward end to a rear end of the trailer body; and asupportive belly pad connected to the outer surface proximate the rearend of the trailer body, wherein the supportive belly pad includes apair of longitudinally extending parallel legs and a plurality oftransverse ribs orthogonally intersecting the longitudinal axis, whereinthe belly pad is arcuately curved complementary to the convex outersurface, and the plurality of transverse ribs are offset from respectiveends of the pair of longitudinally extending parallel legs.

In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure mayprovide a structurally supportive member for attachment with a trailer,wherein when laid flat prior to installation on the trailer thesupportive member comprises: a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinaldirection from a forward end to a rear end of the supportive member; afirst leg having a first end and a second end; a second leg having afirst end and a second end; wherein the first and second legs areparallel and the longitudinal axis is between the first and second legs;a transverse first rib extending between first leg and the second leg;and a longitudinal extension connected to the first rib and extendingalong the longitudinal axis.

In another aspect, the present disclosure may provide a structurallysupportive belly pad connected to a rounded trailer and configured tosupport the same near the rear end of the trailer. The belly pad may bearcuately curved complementary to the curvature of the rounded trailer.However, if the belly pad were laid flat, it includes a pair of parallellegs aligned in a generally longitudinal direction with a plurality oftransverse ribs extending therebetween. The shape of the belly pad isconfigured to provide structural support for the trailer which isbeneficial especially when the trailer is raised and lowered, typicallythrough hydraulic mechanisms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the followingdescription, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctlypointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanyingdrawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part ofthe specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and otherexample embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will beappreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groupsof boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of theboundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that insome examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or thatmultiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, anelement shown as an internal component of another element may beimplemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore,elements may not be drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is an assembled side elevation view of a rounded trailer and asupportive member or belly pad in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevation view depicting the positioning ofthe supportive member between a trailer body and a trolley assembly.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the supportive member or belly pad whenlaid flat and prior to be being formed into a generally arcuate shapefor installation on the trailer body.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the supportive member or belly padwhen laid flat.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the supportive member or belly padafter being formed into a generally arcuate shape.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5 depictingthe radius of curvature of the supportive member or belly pad.

FIG. 7 is an assembled bottom plan view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers ondifferent drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar,structural elements of the invention. While the present disclosure isdescribed with respect to what is presently considered to be theexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention asclaimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devicesor materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be usedin the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods,devices, and materials are now described.

As depicted in FIG. 1, a half round trailer in accordance with thepresent disclosure is shown generally at 10; however, a full roundtrailer is possible as well. Trailer 10 includes a front end 12 and arear end 14 defining a longitudinal direction therebetween, a left side16 (FIG. 7) and a right side 18 (FIG. 7) defining a transverse or axialdirection therebetween, and a top 20 and a bottom 22 defining a verticaldirection therebetween.

Trailer 10 may be a half-round trailer such that the top 20 issubstantially open to the environment defining an opening to acontainment volume defined by an arcuately concave upwardly facing innersurface of a trailer body 24. The trailer body 24 may include anarcuately convex downwardly facing bottom surface 25. Near thelongitudinal midpoint of the trailer may exist a transversely extendingpivot axis 32 about which a lift arm 26 may pivot. Lift arm 26 mayconnect with a fifth wheel connection 28 on truck 30 so as to enable thehalf round trailer to be towed.

A trolley assembly 34 may support the trailer body 24 from belowadjacent rear end 14. The trolley assembly 34 is operatively connectedwith ground engaging wheels 36.

As depicted in FIG. 2 and in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure, a structurally supportive member, which may also be referredto as a belly pad, 40 is positioned between the trolley assembly 34 andthe trailer body 24 adjacent the rear end 14. Supportive member 40 isconfigured to structurally support and strengthen the connection to thetrolley assembly to the trailer body 24. Furthermore, as will bedescribed in greater detail below, the supportive member 40 is shaped ina manner which enables various components of the trolley assembly 34(including suspension components, such as a trailing arm suspension) tobe mounted to the supportive member 40.

FIG. 3 depicts a top plan view of the supportive member 40 when thesupportive member is laid flat prior to its rolling into an arcuateprofile and prior to installation on the trailer 10 between trailer body24 and trolley assembly 34, which will be described in greater detailbelow. Supportive member 40 includes a central longitudinal axis 42, afirst leg 44, a second leg 46, a transverse first rib 48, a transversesecond rib 50, a transverse third rib 52, and a transverse fourth rib54. Supportive member 40 includes a forward end 56 spaced longitudinallyforward from a rear end 58. The longitudinal axis 42 defines alongitudinal direction from the forward end 56 to the rear end 58 of thesupportive member 40.

The first leg 44 includes a first end 60 and a second end 62. The firstend 60 is associated with the forward end 56 of supportive member 40.The second end 62 is associated with the rear end 58 of supportivemember. As such, the first end 60 is positioned forwardly from thesecond end 62 relative to the trailer 10. The first leg 44 is generallyelongated between first end 60 and second end 62. In one example, firstleg 44 has substantially parallel edges extending longitudinally fromthe first end 60 to the second end 62 which substantially bound firstand second surface of the first leg 44. An outer edge 64 of first leg 44is linear from the first end 60 to the second end 62. In one example,the outer edge 64 is continuous and uninterrupted. The first leg 44 isoffset from central longitudinal axis 42 so as to position the outeredge 64 at a distance farthest from axis 42 relative to other portionsof first leg 44. First leg 44 may further include an inner edge 66 whichis offset parallel from outer edge 64 and closer to axis 42 from outeredge 64. The inner edge 66 may be divided into a plurality of sectionsor portions. In one example, the inner edge 66 may include a firstportion 66A, a second portion 66B, a third portion 66C, a fourth portion66D, and a fifth portion 66E. The first portion 66A is associated withthe forward end 56 and the fifth portion 66E is associated with the rearend 58. The second portion 66B, the third portion 66C, and the fourthportion 66D are arranged sequentially from the forward end to the rearend. Collectively, the inner edge 66 may be interrupted by the ribs 48,50, 52, and 54 so as to create the first portion, second portion, thirdportion, fourth portion, and fifth portion of inner edge 66. The firstportion 66A of inner edge 66 is connected with outer edge 64 via aforward facing rounded edge 68 defining the forward end 56. The fifthportion 66E of inner edge 66 is connected with the outer edge 64 via arearwardly facing rounded rear edge 70 which defines the rear end 58.Notably, the second end 62 of first leg 44 which is defined by the rearrounded edge 70 and the fifth portion 66E of inner edge 66 is positionedrearward from the first rib 48. Stated otherwise, no portion oftransverse rib 48 is coplanar with the fifth portion 66E or the rearrounded edge 70. In one particularly example, the longitudinally alignedwidth of the fifth portion 66E is in a range from about two inches toabout twenty four inches which is configured to purposefully positionthe first rib 48 forwardly from the rear end 58 of the supportive member40.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the second leg 46 is structurallyidentical to first leg 44 but is positioned on an equally opposite sideof axis 42. Because of the mirrored identical structure of second leg 46to first leg 44, the components that define second leg 46 are identifiedwith prime (′) indices or identifiers. It is to be understood that, forbrevity, their description is not repeated as it is the same asdescribed above with respect to the first leg 44. For example, secondleg 46 includes first end 60′, second end 62′, outer edge 64′, inneredge 66′ (and its first portion 66A′, second portion 66B′, third portion66C′, fourth portion 66D′, and fifth portion 66E′), forward rounded edge68′, and rearward rounded edge 70′ which are arranged and structured inan identical manner as described above to their non-primed equivalentsof the first leg 44.

The first leg 44 is parallel to the second leg 46 on opposite sides ofthe central axis 42. Stated otherwise, the central longitudinal axis 42extends centrally between the first leg 44 and the second leg 46. Therespective inner edges 66, 66′ on the first and second legs 44, 46 areparallel to each other. The respective outer edges 64, 64′ on the firstand second legs 44, 46 are parallel to each other.

The forward rounded edges 68, 68′ lie along the same transverse planewhich perpendicularly intersects the central axis 42. More particularly,a transverse first plane 72 perpendicularly intersects axis 42. Theapices of the respective forward rounded edges 68, 68′ are coplanar onfirst plane 72. The rear rounded edges 70, 70′ lie along the sametransverse plane which perpendicularly intersects the central axis 42.More particularly, a transverse second plane 74 perpendicularlyintersects axis 42. The apices of the respective rear rounded edges 70,70′ are coplanar on second plane 74. The first rib 48 is offsetforwardly from the second plane 74 such that no portion of first rib 48lies along second plane 74. Stated otherwise, first rib 48 is positionedforwardly from the second plane 74 which positions first rib 48forwardly from the rear end 58 of supportive member 40.

The first rib 48 extends transversely between rigid connections with thefirst leg 44 and the second leg 46. The first rib 48 intersectslongitudinal central axis 42 in a generally perpendicular manner. Alongitudinal extension member, which also may be referred to simply as alongitudinal extension, extends forwardly from the first rib 48 alongthe longitudinal axis. More particularly, a longitudinal extension 76 iscentered along axis 42 and extends forwardly in a cantilevered mannerfrom a rigid connection with first rib 48.

With continued reference to the first rib 48 and the longitudinalextension 76, a plurality of edges are connected together to form agenerally T-shaped uniform member of the first rib 48 and longitudinalextension 76. For example, transversely extending rear edge 78 extendsbetween the first leg 44 and the second leg 46. More particularly, therear edge 78 is connected with fifth portion 66E via a rounded concavefillet 80 and extends perpendicularly across longitudinal axis 42 to aconcave rounded fillet 80′ connection with fifth portion 66E′. Rear edge78 is spaced from first plane 74 a longitudinal distance in a range fromabout three inches to about nine inches. In another particularembodiment, the longitudinal distance of rear edge 78 from first plane74 is about seven inches. The first rib 48 includes a leading edge 82which extends perpendicular to longitudinal axis 42 and parallel to rearedge 78. Leading edge 82 is connected with first leg 44 at a roundedfillet 84 and is connected with the longitudinal extension 76 at arounded fillet 86. In a mirrored manner on an opposite side oflongitudinal axis 42, leading edge 82′ is connected with second leg 46via a rounded fillet 84′ and is connected with longitudinal extension 76via rounded fillet 86′. In one particular embodiment, leading edge 82(and leading edge 82′) are perpendicular to axis 42, but are offsettherefrom so as to not intersect axis 42. Accordingly, the roundedfillets 84 and 86 (and 84′, 86′) are additionally spaced from centralaxis 42. The longitudinal extension 76 continues forwardly from fillet86 and includes a longitudinally extending edge 88 that is offsetparallel to longitudinal axis 42. Longitudinal edge 88 is connected witha forward transverse edge 90 of the longitudinal extension 76 via aconvexly rounded corner 92. Forward edge 90 transversely intersectslongitudinal axis 42 in a perpendicular manner spaced forwardly fromedge 82 on first rib 48. The longitudinal distance of the longitudinalextension 76 is measured from edge 82 (and 82′) forwardly to transverseedge 90. In one particular embodiment, the longitudinally aligned widthof longitudinal extension 76 is in a range from about 10 inches to about20 inches. In one particular embodiment, the longitudinally alignedwidth of longitudinal extension 76 is 13 9/16 inches.

Second rib 50 is a rigid uniform member defining a trailing edge 94 anda leading edge 96. Trailing edge 94 is oriented transversely so as tointersect longitudinal axis 42 in a perpendicular manner. Edge 96 isparallel to trailing edge 94 to also intersect longitudinal axis 42 in aperpendicular manner. Edge 94 of second rib 50 extends between first leg44 and second leg 46. More particularly, the edge 94 is connected withfourth portion 66D of first leg 44 at a concavely rounded fillet 98effectuating the connection between trailing edge 94 and fourth portion66D. Similarly, rounded fillet 98′ connects the trailing edge 94 to thefourth portion 66D′ of second leg 46. Collectively, trailing edge 94,fourth portion 66D, edge 82, edge 88, edge 90, edge 88′, edge 82′, andfourth portion 66D′ define a first opening 100 that is generallyC-shaped and extends fully through the supportive member 40. Leadingedge 96 of second rib 50 is connected with third portion 66C of firstleg 44 via a concavely rounded fillet 102. Similarly, leading edge 96 ofsecond rib 50 is connected with third portion 66C′ second leg 46 via arounded fillet 102′.

Third rib 52 includes a trailing edge 104 and a leading edge 106. Thetrailing and leading edges 104, 106 of third rib 52 intersectlongitudinal axis 42 in a perpendicular manner and extend transverselybetween the first leg 44 and the second leg 46. Trailing edge 104 isconnected with third portion 66C via a concavely rounded fillet 108.Similarly, trailing edge 104 is connected with third portion 66C′ ofsecond leg 46 via a rounded concave fillet 108′. Collectively, trailingedge 104, third portion 66C, leading edge 96, and third portion 66C′define a second opening 110 which extends fully through the supportivemember 40. Second opening 110 is positioned forwardly from first opening100 and is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from above. Theleading edge 106 on third rib 52 is connected with the second portion66B of first leg 44 via a rounded concave fillet 112. Similarly, leadingedge 106 on third rib 52 is connected with the second portion 66B′ ofsecond legs 46 via rounded fillet 112′.

Fourth rib 54 includes a trailing edge 114 and a leading edge 116.Trailing edge 154 perpendicularly intersects longitudinal axis 42 andextends transversely between the first leg 44 and second leg 46.Trailing edge 114 is connected with second portion 66B at a roundedconcave fillet 118 and is connected with second portion 66B′ at concaverounded fillet 118′. Leading edge 116, in one particular embodiment, isnot parallel with trailing edge 114. In one particular embodiment,leading edge 116 is arcuately shaped in a concave manner such that theconcave arc of trailing edge 116 faces forwardly. In one particularembodiment, the radius of curvature associated with leading edge 116 isquite large such that the intersection of leading edge 116 withlongitudinal axis 42 approximates 90 degrees; however, it is slightlyless than 90 degrees, but may be in a range of about 80-89 degrees giventhe large radius of curvature associated with the concave leading edge116. Leading edge 116 is connected with first portion 66A of first leg44 at a rounded concave fillet 118 and is connected with the second legat rounded fillet 118′. The first portion 66A of first leg 44 extendsforwardly to rounded edge 68 from the fillet 118. Similarly, firstportion 66A′ of second leg 46 extends forwardly to rounded leading edge68′ from the fillet 118′.

The transversely extending ribs are oriented in a manner such that thesecond rib 50 and the third rib 52 are positioned intermediate the firstrib 48 and the fourth rib 54. The first rib 48 has a longitudinallyaligned width from trailing edge 78 to leading edge 82 that is greaterthan longitudinally aligned widths of the second rib 50, the third rib52, and the fourth rib 54. The width of second rib 50 is measured fromthe trailing edge 94 to the leading edge 96 along axis 42. The width ofsecond rib 50 is less than that of first rib 48. In one particularembodiment, the longitudinally aligned width from trailing edge 94 toleading edge 96 is in a range from about three inches to about nineinches. In one particular embodiment, the width of second rib 50 isabout five inches. In one particular embodiment, the longitudinallyaligned width of third rib 52, which is measured from trailing edge 104to leading edge 106, is identical to that of second rib 50. However, itis entirely possible for the longitudinally aligned width of third rib52 to be greater or less than that of second rib 50. In anotherparticular embodiment, the width of third rib 52 measured from trailingedge 104 to leading edge 106 is in a range from about three inches tonine inches, and in one particular embodiment, the width of third rib 52is about five inches. With respect to fourth rib 54, the longitudinallyaligned width measured from trailing edge 114 to the leading edge 116varies pending on the transverse offset from longitudinal axis 42because of the fact that leading edge 116 is concavely curved. Thus, thefarther away from central axis 42, the fourth rib 54 has a greaterlongitudinal width. Thus, the narrowest portion of fourth rib 54 liesalong axis 42 measured from trailing edge 114 to leading edge 116.Stated otherwise, the apex of the curve of leading edge 116 intersectslongitudinal axis 42.

A third opening 120 is collectively defined by trailing edge 114 on thefourth rib 54, second portion 66B, leading edge 106 on third rib 52, andsecond portion 66B′. The third opening 120 is positioned forwardly fromthe second opening 110. Furthermore, the third opening is generallyrectangular in shape when viewed from above, but has a longerlongitudinal width oriented along axis 42 than the second opening 110.This is established because the distance between the third rib 52 andthe fourth rib 54 is greater than the distance between the second rib 50and the third rib 52.

A first interval distance 122 is defined between the first rib 48 andthe second rib 50. A second interval distance 124 is defined between thesecond rib 50 and the third rib 52. A third interval distance is definedbetween the third rib 52 and the fourth rib 54. In one particularembodiment, the third interval distance 126 is greater than the secondinterval distance 124 and is greater than the first interval distance122. Furthermore, in an additional particular embodiment, the firstinterval distance 122 is greater than the second interval distance 124.Additionally, an embodiment may provide where the second intervaldistance 124 is less than the first interval distance 122 and less thanthe third interval distance 126. Further, the second interval distance122 may be less than the third interval distance 126. By way of example,the first interval distance 122 may be in a range of about 20 inches toabout 30 inches. In one particular embodiment, the first intervaldistance 122 is about 26 9/16 inches. The second interval distance 124may be in a range from about 20 inches to about 30 inches. In anotherparticular embodiment, the second interval distance 124 is about 25 3/16inches. The third interval distance 126 may be in a range from about 25inches to about 35 inches, and in one particular embodiment, is about 3010/16 inches. The overall longitudinally aligned width of supportivemember 40 measured from first plane 72 to second plane 74 is about 121inches. Furthermore, the transverse width of supportive member 50measured from outer edge 64 on first leg 44 to outer edge 64′ on secondleg 46 is in a range from about 50 inches to about 60 inches, and in oneparticular embodiment, the width of supportive member 40 from spanningthe outer edges is about 55⅝ inches. The inner width measured from inneredge 66 on first leg 44 across longitudinal axis 42 to the inner edge66′ of second leg 46 may be in a range from about 40 inches to about 50inches and in one particular embodiment, is about 45 11/16 inches.

Each of the first and second legs 44, 46 has a transversely alignedwidth measured from outer edge 64 to its respective inner edge 66 or66′. The transversely aligned width of each of the legs 44, 46 is lessthan the transversely aligned length of each one of the ribs 48, 50, 52,and 54. Stated alternatively, the transversely aligned length of eachone of the plurality of ribs is greater than a transversely aligned ofeach of one of the first and second legs 44, 46.

FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 depict generally the supportive member 40 atvarious stages of its manufacture. As depicted in FIG. 4, the supportivemember is first fabricated from a planar sheet of rigid material so asto define an upwardly facing top surface 128 and a downwardly facingbottom surface 130 (FIG. 6). A thickness of the supportive member 40 isestablished between the top surface 128 and the bottom surface 130. Thethickness of supportive member 40 may be in a range from about 0.1inches to about one inch; however, in one particular embodiment, thethickness of supportive member 40 measured from top surface 128 tobottom surface 130 is about one-fourth inch. As mentioned previously,the supportive member 40 is positioned between the trailer body 24 andthe trolley assembly 34. In order for the supportive member 40 to fitsnuggly and sandwiched between the trailer body 24 and the trolleyassembly 34, it must be curved in a manner complementary to that of thecurved outer surface 25 of the trailer body 24. Accordingly, a rollingtechnique is applied to give a curvature to the supportive member 40. Inone particular embodiment, the supportive member is fed transverselythrough a plurality of rollers to effectuate or impart a curvature, whenviewed in transverse cross-section to the supportive member. The rollingof supportive member 40 may occur by inserting either one of the firstleg 44 or the second leg 46 through the rollers and forcing the rest ofthe supportive member 40 through the rollers.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 depict the supportive member 40 after completing therolling process. After being rolled, the supportive member has anarcuate cross-section as indicated in FIG. 6. More particularly, the topsurface 128 is concavely curved and the bottom surface 130 is convexlycurved. A radius of curvature R is established by the rolling process.Radius of curvature R for supportive member 40 may be in a range ofabout 40 inches to about 60 inches. In one particular embodiment, theradius of curvature of supportive member 40 is 48.5 inches. When viewedin cross-section, the center of the supportive member 40 has a lowermostpoint 134 which is located along the longitudinal center axis 42intermediate the outer edges 64, 64′ of the first leg 44 and second leg46, respectively. When the supportive member 40 is curved in the mannershown in FIG. 6, the outer edges 64, 64′ are located above the lowermostcenter point 134. Particularly, a vertical height 136 is establishedbetween the lowermost point 134 and the outer edges 64, 64′, which arethe vertical uppermost portions of the supportive member 40 after beingrolled in the manner described above. In one particular embodiment, theheight 136 of the supportive member 40 measured from the centrallowermost point 134 to the outer edges 64, 64′ is in a range from aboutsix inches to about twelve inches. In one particular embodiment, theheight 136 is about eight inches.

FIG. 7 depicts a bottom assembled plan view of the supportive member 40from beneath the trailer 10. The supportive member 40 is shown as beingarranged in order to support a plurality of trailing arms suspensioncomponents which are part of the trolley assembly 34. A rear axle 138 ispositioned below first rib 48. Axle 138 is supported by trailing arms140 which extend longitudinally below the first leg 44 and the secondleg 46. Axle 138 is further supported by an air bag 142 which is locatedbeneath first rib 48. The air bags 142 connect with a suspension framemember 144 which extends transversely below the first rib 48 between thefirst leg 44 and the second leg 46 such that the suspension frame member144 is substantially parallel to first rib 48. A rear support flange 146is positioned below the second rib 50 and pivotably connects with aforward end of the trailing arms 140. A forward second axle 148 extendsbelow the third rib 52 in a manner substantially parallel thereto. Theaxle 148 is connected with trailing arms 150 which extend longitudinallyin a manner parallel to first leg 44 and second leg 46. The axle 148 isfurther supported by air bags 152 which are connected with a suspensionframe member 154. Suspension frame member 154 extends transversely in amanner substantially parallel to third rib 52. A forward end of thetrailing arms 150 is supported by a support flange 156 which enable apivotable movement of the trailing arms 150 respectively thereto.

A frame suspension member 158 may extend transversely relative tolongitudinal axis 42 so as to be positioned below the longitudinalextension 76. A portion of frame suspension member 158 may be coplanarwith transverse edge 90 of longitudinal extension 76. In one particularembodiment, the offset of trailing edge 78 on first rib 48 from the rearend 58 defined by rounded rear edge 70 on supportive member 40 mayeffectuate the assembly in a manner as shown in FIG. 7. Purposefulplacement of edge 78 forwardly from rear rounded edge 70 may bebeneficial in providing structural support to trailer 10 andparticularly providing structural support for the connection betweentrolley assembly 34 and trailer body 24.

The openings 100, 110, 120 formed in the supportive member 40 areprovided to reduce the overall weight thereof. It will be understoodthat the number and size of the openings has to be balanced with thestrength requirements for support member 40 (which may also sometimes bereferred to as a mounting plate). The configuration of support member 40illustrated has resulted in the overall weight of the trailer beingreduced by around 600 pounds over previously known trailer designs. Thisreduction in overall weight has two substantial benefits. Firstly, alighter weight trailer will require less fuel to be consumed in order tomove the trailer 10 over a roadway. Reduction in weight is alsoadvantageous because additional load can be carried in trailer 10. Theapproximate 600 pounds of weight removed from the structure of thetrailer 10 itself can be replaced with approximate 600 pounds of load.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto; inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Also, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods,of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of themethod may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments maybe constructed in which acts are performed in an order different thanillustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, eventhough shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase“and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if atall), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when usedin conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer,in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification andin the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as“and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list,“or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., theinclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a numberor list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Onlyterms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or“exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” willrefer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list ofelements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only beinterpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the otherbut not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentiallyof,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used inthe field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure.Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,”“some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “other embodiments,”or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiments is includedin at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, ofthe invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “oneembodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “otherembodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiments.

If this specification states a component, feature, structure, orcharacteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particularcomponent, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to beincluded. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element,that does not mean there is only one of the element. If thespecification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does notpreclude there being more than one of the additional element.

The term “belly pad” as used herein refers to the supportive member 40or mounting plate that is used to brace the belly area of the outersurface 25 of the trailer body. The belly area refers to the area nearthe longitudinal rear end and the transverse center of the half roundtrailer body 24.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the preferred embodimentof the disclosure are an example and the disclosure is not limited tothe exact details shown or described.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A trailer comprising: a trailer body havingan inner surface opposite a convex outer surface aligned along alongitudinal center axis extending from a forward end to a rear end ofthe trailer body, and the trailer body having a longitudinal midpoint;and a supportive belly pad connected to the outer surface rearward ofthe longitudinal midpoint of the trailer body, wherein the supportivebelly pad includes a pair of longitudinally extending legs and aplurality of transverse ribs orthogonally intersecting the longitudinalcenter axis, wherein the belly pad is arcuately curved complementary tothe convex outer surface and couples ground engaging wheels to thetrailer body proximate the rear end.
 2. The trailer of claim 1, whereinthe supportive belly pad further comprises: a top surface of thesupportive belly pad that is concavely curved.
 3. The trailer of claim2, wherein the supportive belly pad further comprises: a bottom surfaceof the supportive belly pad opposite the top surface of the supportivebelly pad, wherein the bottom surface engages the ground engagingwheels, and the bottom surface is convexly curved.
 4. The trailer ofclaim 2, wherein the supportive belly pad further comprises: a radius ofcurvature of the top surface that is concavely curved, when viewed incross section, that is in a range from about 40 inches to about 60inches.
 5. The trailer of claim 4, wherein the radius of curvature is ina range from about 45 inches to about 50 inches.
 6. The trailer of claim5, wherein the radius of curvature is about 48.5 inches.
 7. The trailerof claim 1, wherein the supportive belly pad further comprises: alowermost point that lies along the longitudinal center axis.
 8. Thetrailer of claim 7, wherein the supportive belly pad further comprises:outermost edges on each respective longitudinally extending legs;wherein the outermost edges are at a greater height than the lowermostpoint; wherein the height between the lowermost point and the outermostedges is a vertical distance that is in a range from about 6 inches toabout 12 inches.
 9. The trailer of claim 8, wherein the verticaldistance of the height is about eight inches.
 10. The trailer of claim1, wherein the plurality of transverse ribs further comprise: atransverse first rib on the supportive belly pad extending between thepair of longitudinally extending legs, wherein the first rib is offsetforwardly from a plane intersecting rear ends of the pair oflongitudinally extending legs; a transverse second rib positionedforwardly from the first rib on the supportive belly pad extendingbetween the pair of longitudinally extending legs; a transverse thirdrib positioned forwardly from the second rib on the supportive belly padextending between the pair of longitudinally extending legs; atransverse fourth rib positioned forwardly from the third rib on thesupportive belly pad extending between the pair of longitudinallyextending legs.
 11. The trailer of claim 10, further comprising: alongitudinally aligned width of the first rib; a longitudinally alignedwidth of the second rib, wherein the width of the first rib is greaterthan the width of the second rib; a longitudinally aligned width of thethird rib, wherein the width of the first rib is greater than the widthof the third rib; and a longitudinally aligned width of the fourth rib,wherein the width of the first rib is greater than the width of thefourth rib.
 12. The trailer of claim 10, further comprising: a firstinterval distance between the first rib and the second rib; a secondinterval distance between the second rib and the third rib; a thirdinterval distance between the third rib and the fourth rib; wherein thesecond interval distance is less than the first interval distance andless than the third interval distance, and wherein the first intervaldistance is less than the third interval distance.
 13. The trailer ofclaim 10, further comprising a longitudinal extension extending in acantilevered manner along the longitudinal center axis a distance in arange from about 10 inches to about 20 inches from the first rib. 14.The trailer of claim 10, wherein the plurality of transverse ribs areoffset from respective ends of the pair of longitudinally extendinglegs.
 15. The trailer of claim 1, further comprising: wherein when thesupportive belly pad is laid flat prior to installation on the trailer,the supportive belly pad comprises: a longitudinal center axis defininga longitudinal direction from a forward end to a rear end of thesupportive member belly pad; a first leg of the pair of longitudinallyextending legs having a first end and a second end; a second leg of thepair of longitudinally extending legs having a first end and a secondend; wherein the first and second longitudinally extending legs areparallel and the longitudinal center axis of the belly pad is betweenthe first and second legs; a transverse first rib of the plurality oftransverse ribs extending between the first leg and the second leg; alongitudinal extension connected to the first rib and extending alongthe longitudinal center axis of the belly pad; a transverse second ribextending between the first leg and the second leg; a transverse thirdrib extending between the first leg and the second leg; a transversefourth rib extending between the first leg and the second leg; andwherein the second and third ribs are intermediate the first and fourthribs.
 16. The trailer of claim 15, further comprising: a transversefirst plane perpendicularly intersecting the longitudinal center axis ofthe belly pad; a transverse second plane perpendicularly intersectingthe longitudinal center axis of the belly pad, wherein the respectivesecond ends of the first and second legs lie along the second plane;wherein the fourth rib is offset from the second plane; a longitudinallyaligned width of the first rib that is greater than a longitudinallyaligned width of the second rib, and that is greater than alongitudinally aligned width of the third rib, and that is greater thana longitudinally aligned width of the fourth rib; a transverselyextending concave edge on the fourth rib; wherein the third rib isoffset closer to the second rib than the third rib is to the fourth rib;a first interval distance between the first rib and the second rib; asecond interval distance between the second rib and the third rib; athird interval distance between the third rib and the fourth rib;wherein the second interval distance is less than the first intervaldistance, wherein the second interval distance is less than the thirdinterval distance.
 17. The trailer of claim 16, further comprising: atransversely aligned length of each one of the transverse first throughfourth ribs, wherein the transversely aligned length of each one of thetransverse first through fourth ribs is greater than a transverselyaligned width of each one of the first and second legs; a transversefirst plane perpendicularly intersecting the longitudinal center axis ofthe belly pad, wherein a first end of the supportive belly pad liesalong the first plane; a transverse second plane perpendicularlyintersecting the longitudinal center axis, the second plane at aposition offset from the first plane, wherein a respective first end ofthe supportive belly pad lies along the first plane and a respectivesecond end of the supportive belly pad lies along the second plane; andwherein the fourth transverse rib on the supportive belly pad is offsetfrom the second plane.
 18. A trailer comprising: a trailer body havingan inner surface opposite a convex outer surface aligned along alongitudinal axis extending from a forward end to a rear end of thetrailer body, and the trailer body having a belly area near the rear endand a transverse center of the trailer body; and a supportive belly padconnected to the outer surface proximate the rear end of the trailerbody, wherein the supportive belly pad includes a pair of longitudinallyextending parallel legs and a plurality of transverse ribs orthogonallyintersecting the longitudinal axis, wherein the belly pad is arcuatelycurved complementary to the convex outer surface, and the supportivebelly pad only braces the belly area of the trailer body.
 19. Thetrailer of claim 15 wherein the longitudinal extension connected to thefirst rib extends along the longitudinal center axis of the belly pad ina cantilevered manner a distance in a range from about 10 inches toabout 20 inches.